<p>Does it matter where I go to undergraduate studies? I want to get into a prestigious medical school, and I know that Im fully capable. I just want to know if going to a decent school like Rutgers would restrict me from getting into an Ivy or a high ranking medical school? I know that GPA and MCAT matter the most, so if they are high enough, would the school of my undergrad matter?</p>
<p>Rutgers is more than enough for a prestigious med school, as long as you have excellent GPA/MCAT scores.</p>
<p>Can you give me a rough estimate as to what my numbers should be around, SoDoMojo?</p>
<p>In order to get accepted to top tier med school you need:
4.0 GPA
36 or better on the MCAT
40+ shadowing
Research- and published is recommended
Volunteer in a medical field- Maybe EMT.
Impress the interviewer
Apply broadly and APPLY EARLY
And if you are Hispanic or African American… the numbers can be lower.
It does not matter where you go for undergrad, as long as you have all of the above.</p>
<p>Oh and this is a great forum if you need to follow specific med school or if you have any questions about the application process.</p>
<p>[Pre-Medical</a> Forums - Student Doctor Network Forums](<a href=“http://■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/forumdisplay.php?f=5]Pre-Medical”>http://■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/forumdisplay.php?f=5)</p>
<p>Thanks a lot guys, your replies helped. im a lot less paranoid now</p>
<p>A 4.0 is not required, but a 3.8+ is recommended for top tier schools.</p>
<p>How and why would going to Rutgers prevent you from getting into Ivy med? I’m confused.</p>
<p>He never said it would… that’s why he asked.</p>
<p>“He never said it would… that’s why he asked.”</p>
<p>That’s why I asked why would he even think that it would matter.</p>
<p>To anybody reading the above:
“In order to get accepted to top tier med school you need:
4.0 GPA
36 or better on the MCAT
40+ shadowing”</p>
<p>Stop reading - there are no “in order to” checklists.</p>
<p>Harvards latest numbers were:
Avg GPA - 3.8
Avg MCAT - 35.6</p>
<p>Remember - these are averages, some lower, some higher.</p>
<p>They give you a goal to shoot for, but if you fall short on something, don’t let that deter you from applying if you want to go there.</p>
<p>Unfortunately what brings down these averages is the minority/underrepresented groups. My son applied this past year with 3.7 GPA from a very elite/top tier school, 34T on his MCAT 200 plus volunteer hours, a published research paper and 100 plus shadowing and did not even get one interview to any ivy school. So it’s your decision after all to believe what I said earlier. Just remember that out of the ~45,000 application to med schools, only ~17,000 get in. SO it is extremely competitive.</p>
<p>@sixflags - Because it’s natural to assume school rep has an effect on your chances at medical school. It does, but far less than one would think, and doing badly at a top tier school is certainly not equivalent to doing great at a less reputable school.</p>
<p>I think GPA x 10 + MCAT=70-75 will get you in most anywhere.</p>
<p>@bopper: Anywhere…in the Caribbeans, maybe. US Med school admission is much more than high GPA and MCAT. That’s why people go crazy over it. High GPA and high MCAT are the MINIMUM requirements to be even considered as a part of the game.</p>
<p>I was wondering only because of what I’ve heard. People have told me that if I have the exact same application as someone from Brown, med schools will obviously prefer the student from Brown. I was just checking on the accuracy of what I heard</p>